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"You'd look really good in blue, teal, or what about purple," said Davis, a senior at Nation Ford High School.

Borer walked to the prom section and two dresses piqued her interest: A leopard print and a bright blue gown. After an unsuccessful session in the dressing room, Borer and Davis moved on to another store.

Macy's proved futile.

JCPenney carried styles she considered too matronly. Borer blamed herself for a lack of planning.

"I waited too long this year and all the dresses are taken," said Borer, a member of the Fort Mill varsity girls' soccer team.

Davis agreed.

"The mall didn't have a variety of choices," she said.

But Davis wouldn't let her friend go home without a dress and suggested Concord Mills in Concord, N.C.

"Even though the mall is really far away, this one store inside of it has the biggest selection of prom dresses," Davis said of Group USA The Clothing Company, an extensive store catering to prom and wedding paraphernalia.

So they crossed their fingers, found directions and started the 35-minute drive.

Excitement grew.

At the mall, there was no time for foolishness. The girls put on their game faces and continued the hunt. After overcoming intimidation, Borer found two dresses, but picked through the racks to discover more. A few steps away, Davis found a couple more flattering gowns for her friend and they headed to the dressing room.

Dresses of different colors and styles ranging from a blue halter dress to a green backless flew in and out of the dressing room. But Borer couldn't find the perfect dress.

Neither could her friend.

"It's not flattering," Davis said of the blue halter.

After Borer tried on a couple of orange-colored dresses, Davis discovered that the color looked pretty on her friend. But the styles lacked pizzazz.

"I love the color, but the fit isn't right," Davis said. "We need to find more styles of dresses in that color."

Davis left the dressing area to find more gowns. Five minutes later, she came back with a handful of styles, but one color stood out - orange.

Even though Borer liked orange, she still worried about the fit.

"I should have brought my Spanx," she said, laughing from behind the dressing room door. "I have two more weeks to work out."